Jika featuring Yanga Chief secured a landslide victory in the penultimate instalment of the virtual five-part SAMA26 lockdown special.
The rapper reacted with glee as he posted a video of the win. Actress Celeste Khumalo, who features on the video, and his fans sent congratulatory messages.
In other categories, gospel legend Bishop Benjamin Dube received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his maverick streak dating back to 1986, dedicating his life to music.
In his acceptance speech, he urged South Africans to strive to leave a good legacy.
“My first desire is to please God in everything and the rest will follow,” he said. To seal the double whammy, Dube’s Glory in His Presence DVD earned him the Best Live Audio Visual Recording award.
Also taking home big honours was new talent Ami Faku, announced as the winner of the coveted Female Artist of the Year for her debut album ‘Imali’. The award was presented by the accomplished composer/vocalist and previous SAMA winner Zonke Dikana.
MFR Souls, DJ Maphorisa, Vigro Deep, and Kabza De Small took the Best Produced Album award for Scorpion Kings.
James Grace hit the right notes as he claimed the Best Classical Album for his release Andaluza – Music of Spain III. The Best Engineered Album was won by ‘Into Dust/Waltz for Jozi’ by Peter Auret. The Best Produced Music Video award went to Ofentse Mwase for ‘Fetch Your Life’ by Prince Kaybee featuring Msaki.
It was the poignant gospel mash-up between Dumi Mkokstad and Sbu Noah that bookmarked the fourth night of SAMA26. In a moving tribute to the artists and industry players departed in the last year, the two stars delivered a memorable performance from the empty pews of a church.
Mkokstad touched the soul with Ukuhlala Kuye while Noah raised the roof with Ndikhokhele. It was a cinematic delight to watch as the shafts of light peeped through the windows and the walls of the majestic building landing on their faces.
Some of the names that were memorialised were Joseph Shabalala, Patricia Majalisa, Johnny Clegg, Neyi Zimu, Linda Gcwensa, Nichume Siwundla, Vukani ‘Chilli M’ Masinga and Pheko Kgengoe.
For the fifth and final night of SAMA26, or tune into Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161 at 9.30pm tonight. SAMA26 episodes available on DStv Catch Up
Best Live Audio Visual Recording:
Glory in His Presence – Benjamin Dube
Best Engineered Album:
‘Into Dust/Waltz for Jozi’ by Peter Auret
Best Classical Album:
‘Andaluza – Music of Spain III’ by James Grace
Female Artist of the Year:
Ami Faku – Imali
Best Produced Music Video:
Fetch Your Life – Ofentse Mwase
Music Video Of The Year:
Jika – AKA featuring Yanga Chief
Lifetime Achievement Award
Benjamin Dube
(Compiled by Thami Kwazi)
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